Art WorkShop Is A Key to Your Child's Success

Great news!!

Are you interested in a little empathy and creativity workshop for your child?

Jen Edwards from Kids' Keys To Success and Margret Dilmore from Lyric Academy of Music are teaming up to create an afternoon of fun and learning through art and music.

Lyric Academy Of Music, Victor, NY

Through movement, music, and creativity, your child will learn more about expressing his/her self.

The use of imagination is proven to increase empathy and creativity; Skills sorely needed today to navigate a successful life.

The emphases of the afternoon is on fun and excitement with the undercurrent lesson of creative problem solving, building self-esteem through the expression of empathy, and a deeper appreciation for the arts.

To learn more about the benefits of the arts go here to read our article.

Our Workshop will be helded Saturday, Dec. 6 from 2-2:45pm in Victor, NY. (location will be disclosed upon registration)

for more information or to register your child for the class, email us at admin@kidskeystosuccess.com. In the subject heading put "December Art Work Shop Registration".

**A wonderful bonus of the afternoon workshop will be bringing home a special and unique gift for someone special.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Zone of Proximinal Development is a Key to a Kids's Success

Have you ever heard of "Zone of Proximal Development"?

I hadn't until I was talking with my daughter's teacher, however, I realized I had been doing it.

It is actually really cool because you can do more of it when you are aware f it.

The term "zone of proximal development" was created by a Russian child psychologist Lev Vygotsky. Is the range, or zone when a child is almost ready or just before the "light bulb is turned on". Therefore, a little adult or mentor-ship is needed for the child to be successful.

This is the exact way to identify a child's instructional level. Is your child's classroom set up to meet your child's needs and the different needs of other children?

Probably before you are able to answer that question you may need more information about how "proximal development" works.

An example of one child's zone of proximal development:

When my daughter is practicing her violin and is having difficulty learning a new part of her music piece. I give her time to practice with "trial and error". Then, if she is still having difficulty remembering the next note I may hum the tune. Usually, she will hear the note and and then coordinate what she heard with the note on her violin.



I supported her interest and helped her to build her ability.

Here are some keys to working within your child's zone of Proximal development...

1. Let your child get slightly uncomfortable with their practice.

2. Follow your child's interest. (I believe children are naturally curious. When given opportunities and resources for learning children are automatically drawn to learn).

3. Limit the steps your child needs to be successful achieving his/her goal or completion of a task.

4. When your child does get frustrated (frustration is often the result of anxiety because he/she doesn't know what to do next), you can...

a. give your child a moment to emotionally collect him/her self before moving on but, ...

b. encourage him/her to stick with the task

c. demonstrate what next to do

d. share with your child a similar situation or event to make a connection to something your child has mastered or knows how to do.

I hope this helps you to enjoy more fully the time you spend with your child and share in the curiosity and joy of learning!


** A summary of ideas from Einstein Never Used Flash Cards by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff